Fluid mixing device



F. M. MCDOUGALL Jan. 8, 1963 FLUID MIXING DEVICE Filed April 2'7, 19593,072,137 FLUID MIXING DEVICE Franklin M. McDougall, Kirkwood, Mo.,assignor to Bela Deutsch, Herman Dentsch, and Carl J. Deutsch- FiledApr. 27, 1955, Ser. No. 809,242 3 Claims. (Cl. 137-216) This inventionrelates generally to improvements in a tfluid mixing device, and moreparticularly to an improved device of this type that enables selectivelythe mixing of a liquid detergent with a stream of water.

An important object is to achieve a fully automatic fluid mixing devicethat is adapted to induct a liquid detergent into a stream of water andto mix such detergent and water in the desired proportion.

In the conventional installation of this type of device, theproportioner is attached to the kitchen sink faucet, and a small hoseconnects the device to a detergent supply normally located beneath thesink. A foot valve in the hose inlet serves to keep the hose full ofdetergent at all times.

In most water supply systems, there is the possibility of transientconditions that could create a partial vacuum inside the water lines.During such an occurrence, there is a reverse flow through an openfaucet or any other opening between the atmosphere and the inside watersupply lines. This reverse flow is commonly known as back-syphonage. Theuse of the heretofore conventional fluid mixing device not having aprotective mechanism later menttioned, could cause contamination of thewater supply, as for example by the introduction of detergent underthese conditions.

As a precaution against the possible contamination of the water supply,many cities require the installation of a vacuum breaker between thewater supply and any attachment that is a potential source ofcontamination. To protect a simple faucet attachment is both cumbersomeand relatively costly.

It is an important object to provide a fluid mixing de vice that isconstructed so as to preclude detergent or other foreign or undesirableliquid matter from being introduced into the water supply upon theoccurrence of a partial vacuum in the water lines. The presentproportioner has means that causes the device automatically todisconnect operatively from the liquid detergent and instead causes thefaucet to communicate operatively with the atmosphere upon the existenceof any vacuum in the water line to which the proportioner is attached.

Another important object is realized by the provision of an air chamberopen to atmospheric pressure between the inlet opening to the valve bodyand the faucet which provides the above mentioned protective actionagainst back-syphonage.

Still another important objective is achieved by the structural relationand connection of the valve body with the cap that is attached to thefaucet so as to provide an air chamber therebetween, and to provide apassageway communicating with the air chamber to place such chamherunder atmospheric pressure.

Other important advantages are realized by the particular structure ofthe valve body providing auxiliary air passages communicating wtih theair chamber which are impossible to close unintentionally by a persongripping or otherwise holding the fluid mixing device, and thereby makesit impossible for the liquid detergent to be fed back into the waterlines accidentally.

Yet another important objective is achieved by the provision of a skirtportion on the cap which extends downwardly around the uppermost portionof the valve body so as to provide a splash guard.

Another important object is to provide a fluid mixing device having thepreviously discussed advantages which 3,072,137 Patented Jan. 8, 1963ice . the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the fluid mixing device. Theopposite side is the same;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the device as seen in a plane passedthrough the vertical longitudinal axis of the device shown in FIG. 1,and

'FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, it is seen thatthe fluid mixing device includes a coupling 10 provided with internalthreads 11 adapting the coupling Ill to be attached to a water faucet.The coupling 10 includes a collar 12 that is knurled to facilitateattachment and disconnection of the coupling.

The coupling 10 includes a reduced lower end portion 13 provided withexternal threads 14. The interior of reduced coupler portion 13 isprovided with an upwardly converging seat 15.

Attached to coupling 10 is a cylindrical cap 16 that is provided withinternal threads 17 at its uppermost portion adapted to engage thethreads 14 of coupling 10. A partition 20 extends across the cap 16.Located in the upper recess of cap 16 and seating on the partition 20 isa pair of resilient washers 21. A conical resilient washer 22 seats onthe top of washers 21 and interfits the reduced coupling portion 13 andengages the seat 15.

The cap 16 is provided with a skirt portion 23 depending peripherallyabout the partition 20. An aperture 24 is provided in partition 20through which the water under pressure from the faucet is forciblyejected in a jet stream.

A valve body 25 includes a reduced uppermost portion 26 that interfitsthe skirt portion 23 of cap 16. A plurality of screw fasteners 27 attachthe skirt portion 23 to the reduced portion 26 of valve body 25. It isseen that the skirt portion 23 seats on a shoulder formed by the reducedvalve body portion 26 and extends below the uppermost portion to providea splash guard as will be explained in detail subsequently. Theuppermost end of the valve body 25 is spaced from the partition 2% toprovide an air chamber 30 therebetween.

As is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the valve body 25 is provided withopposed flat surfaces 31 that are spaced from the skirt portion 23 ofcap 16 to provide passageway 32 communicating with chamber 30 so as toplace such chamber 30 under atmospheric pressure. For reasons which Willbe discussed in detail subsequently, each of the opposed side surfaces31 of valve body 25 is provided with a pair of longitudinal grooves 33extending from the bottom to the top of the valve body 25, such grooves33 being in communication with the chamber 30.

The valve body 25 is provided with a primary passage 34. An inletopening 35 to the primary passage 34 is provided in an insert 36 pressfitted into the top of the valve body, as is best shown in FIG. 2. Theinlet opening 35 is located on the opposite side of chamber 30 fromaperture 24, and hence is maintained in spaced relation to suchaperture. However, it is seen that the inlet opening 35 is directlyaligned with the partition aperture 24 so that the stream of waterflowing through partition aperture 24 enters the inlet opening 35 andflows through the primary passage 34. The primary passage 34 convergesslightly downwardly from its inlet opening 35 to a restricted portion 37at which point the 3 stream of water has its greatest velocity andlowest pressure.

An air induction passage 40 is provided in the valve body 25, the airinduction passage 40 leading to an annular groove 41 formed between theinsert 36 and the wall defining the primary passage 34. Thus it is seenthat the annular groove 41, and hence the air induction passage 46communicated with the primary passage 34 at the restricted portion 37.

A button retainer 42 is attached to the valve body 25 and carries avalve button 43. A valve seat 44 surrounds the air induction passage 40and is adapted to engage the valve button 43 when the button isdepressed. Located within the air induction passage 40 is a compressionspring 45 adapted to engage the valve button 43 so as to tend to holdthe button 43 normally in an open position as is illustrated in FIG. 2.A pair of inlet openings 46, one of which is shown in FIG. 1, isprovided on opposite sides of the button retainer 42, each of the inletopenings 46 being in communication with the air induction passage 43when the button 43 is located in its outermost open position.

Formed in valve body 25 is a liquid induction passage 47 communicatingwith the primary passage 34 just below the restricted portion 37 andbelow the annular air outlet 41. A fitting 50 is threadedly attached tothe valve body 25 and communicates directly with the liquid inductionpassage 47. The fitting 50 is adapted to receive and retain the hoseleading from the liquid detergent supply.

A metering screw 51 is threadedly attached to the valve body 25 in abore that intersects the liquid induction passage 47. As is best seen,the screw 51 carries an O-ring 52 that provides a seal between the screw51 and its bore, thus preventing leakage of the liquid detergent fromthe liquid induction passage 47 and past the screw 51.

As is best seen from FIG. 2, the position of metering screw 51 can beregulated upon threaded adjustment so as to open or close the liquidinduction passage 47 to a greater or lesser extent as desired.

The lowermost portion of valve body 25 is formed to provide a reducednozzle portion 53 through which the primary passage 34 discharges.Retained on the nozzle portion 33 is a screen retainer 54 that carriesand positions a screen 55 below the primary passage 34.

It is thought that the mode of operation and functional results havebecome fully apparent from the foregoing detailed description of parts,but for completeness of disclosure, it will be noted that the fluidmixing device is attached to the faucet by means of coupling 10, and theliquid detergent hose (not shown) is connected to fitting e.

When the faucet valve is opened, the water flows through the fluidmixing device under pressure. The water streams through the couplinginto the upper portion of cap 16, thence through the partition aperture24 from which it is directed into the inlet opening 35 of the primarypassage 34. The water stream bridges chamber 30. As the water flowsthrough the primary passage 34 it passes through the restricted portion37 and is emitted through the bottom of the nozzle portion 53 throughthe screen 55. Because the air induction passage 40 is open toatmospheric pressure through the air outlet openings 46, there is noliquid detergent induced into the Water stream.

When it is desired to mix detergent with the water, the button 43 isdepressed until it engages the valve seat 44 and closes the airinduction passage 40. Under these circumstances, the low pressure valueexisting at the restricted passage portion 37 causes the liquiddetergent to flow through the liquid induction passage 47 and into theprimary passage 34 where it mixes with the water stream and isdischarged from the fluid mixing device.

The proportion of liquid detergent mixed with the water stream can bevaried upon adjustment of the metering screw 51 as described previously.

The pressure differential, that is the difference between the lowpressure value existing at the air induction passage outlet 41 adjacentthe restricted portion 37 and exerted on one side of the valve button 43and the atmospheric pressure existing on the other side of button 43,causes the button 43 to remain seated in closed position automaticallyas long as the flow of water continues through the primary passage 34.

If it is desired to discontinue the mixing of liquid detergent with thewater stream, the water faucet valve is closed so as to stop the waterflow through primary passage 34. When this action is accomplished, thepressure value at restricted portion 37 and air induction passage outlet41 is equalized to atmospheric pressure. Then, the spring 45 urges thevalve button 43 to its open position illustrated in FIG. 2. Then thefaucet valve can be reopened to continue the flow of water underpressure through the primary passage 34, in which event the airinduction passage 49 remains open so as to cause a flow of air throughsuch passage 40 to mix with the water stream rather than causing anyinduction of liquid detergent.

In order to introduce detergent again into the water stream, the button43 must be depressed again to close the air induction passage 40 aspreviously described.

If for any reason a partial vacuum would exist in the water supply lineswhen the fluid mixing device is used, there is provision that wouldpreclude the introduction of liquid detergent into the reverse flow ofWater. In other words, this mixing device precludes any backsyphonage ofdetergent into the water supply lines upon the occurrence of any vacuumconditions.

For example, it is seen that if the valve button 43 were depressed to aclosed position and liquid detergent were being induced into the waterstream, and then a condition would occur whereby a vacuum in the watersupply line would cause a reverse flow, it is seen that the existence ofthe air chamber 30 between the partition aperture 24 and the inletopening 35 prevents reverse flow through passage 34 and inlet opening35. As meutioned previously, the chamber 30 is under atmosphericpressure by reason of the passageways 32 formed between the casing skirtportion 23 and valve body 25. Reverse flow of water in the water linewould merely cause air to be drawn through the passageways 32 into thechamber 30, and thence into and through the partition aperture 24 in thedirection of reverse water flow. It is seen that upon the existence of avacuum in the water line, the flow of water through primary passage 34is stopped, resulting in an equalization of pressures. Then, there wouldbe no chance in any event of liquid detergent entering the primarypassage 34.

Persons operating the fluid mixing device sometimes have the tendency togrip the device, and particularly grip the valve body 25. When thishappens, there is a possibility, however slight, that the passageways 32between the skirt portion 23 and valve body 25 will become obstructed bythe persons hand or fingers. Naturally it these passageways 32 werecompletely blocked so that chamber 32 were not under atmosphericpressure, there would be a tendency for the reverse water flow undervacuum conditions to cause an introduction of liquid detergent into thewater stream which would move through the chamber 3d, through thepartition aperture 24 and into the water supply line, thus contaminatingthe water supply. However, the provision of the longitudinal grooves 33on each side of the valve body 25 prevents the passageways 32 frombecoming blocked by a person gripping the valve body. Therefore, liquiddetergent cannot be induced into the reversed water flow andcontamination of the Water supply is not possible.

In the event the inlet opening 35 or the primary passage 34 becomesblocked as by dirt or other foreign matter, the water flow throughpartition aperture 24 will strike the valve body and splash into thechamber 30. Because the skirt portion 23 of casing 16 extends below theuppermost portion of valve body 25, such water will be directeddownwardly by the skirt portion 23 through the passageways 32 and intothe sink. It is seen that the skirt portion 23 of casing 16 prevents thewater from splashing laterally from the chamber 3t) out into the room,and assures that the water will fall downwardly into the sink.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed referenceto a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in aninstructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants beingpossible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a vacuum breaker for a fluid mixing device, a cap having apartition provided with an aperture, a valve body attached to the cap inspaced relation to the partition to provide a chamber therebetween, thevalve body having opposed flat surfaces spaced inwardly from theperiphery of the cap to provide an upwardly opening passagewaycommunicating with said chamber, said opposed fiat surfaces precludingblockage of the passageway by a person gripping the said valve body, thevalve body provided with a primary passage having an inlet openingspaced from said aperture yet aligned therewith, said partition aperturebeing smaller than said inlet opening.

2. In a vacuum breaker for a fluid mixing device, a cap having apartition provided with an aperture, a skirt portion depending from thepartition about the aperture, a valve body attached to the skirt portionand spaced from said partition to provide a chamber about said aperturebetween the valve body and partition, the valve body having opposedsurfaces spaced inwardly from the skirt portion to provide an upwardlyopening passageway communicating with said chamber, the skirt portionextending peripherally about the valve body and extending below the topof said valve body, each of said opposed surfaces being provided with atleast one longitudinal groove extending from bottom to top of said valvebody and communicating with said chamber so as to preclude blocking ofthe passageway by a person gripping the said valve body, the valve bodyprovided with a primary passage having an inlet opening spaced from saidaperture yet aligned therewith.

3. In a vacuum breaker for a fluid mixing device, a cap having apartition provided with an aperture, a valve body attached to said capand provided with a top surface spaced from said partition to provide achamber about said aperture between the valve body and partition, thevalve body being provided with a primary passage having an inlet openingin said top surface spaced from said aperture yet aligned therewith, thetop surface of the body being no higher than the inlet opening in saidtop surface, a skirt depending from the partition about the aperture,said skirt extending peripherally about the valve body below the topsurface of said body and below the partition aperture, the valve bodyhaving opposed surfaces spaced inwardly from the peripheral skirt toprovide an upwardly opening passageway communicating with said chamberat the top surface of said body in a horizontal plane below the saidpartition aperture so as to preclude any build up of fluid in saidchamber which could be introduced by a reverse siphonage under vacuumconditions, each of the opposed surfaces of said valve body beingprovided with at least one longitudinal groove extending from bottom totop of the valve body and communicating with said chamber so as topreclude blocking of the passageway by a person gripping the said valvebody, said groove extending through the upwardly opening passage betweenthe body and the laterally spaced skirt.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,155,845 Shanley Apr. 25, 1939 2,161,204 Shanley June 6, 1939 2,250,974Stoddard July 29, 1941 2,381,589 Hayes Aug. 7, 1945 2,908,227 McDougallOct. 13, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 65,293 Netherlands of 1950 184,238Switzerland Aug. 1,19%

1. IN A VACUUM BREAKER FOR A FLUID MIXING DEVICE, A CAP HAVING APARTITION PROVIDED WITH AN APERTURE, A VALVE BODY ATTACHED TO THE CAP INSPACED RELATION TO THE PARTITION TO PROVIDE A CHAMBER THEREBETWEEN, THEVALVE BODY HAVING OPPOSED FLAT SURFACES SPACED INWARDLY FROM THEPERIPHERY OF THE CAP TO PROVIDE AN UPWARDLY OPENING PASSAGEWAYCOMMUNICATING WITH SAID CHAMBER, SAID OPPOSED FLAT SURFACES PRECLUDINGBLOCKAGE OF THE PASSAGEWAY BY A PERSON GRIPPING THE SAID VALVE BODY, THEVALVE BODY PROVIDED WITH A PRIMARY PASSAGE HAVING AN INLET OPENINGSPACED FROM SAID APERTURE YET ALIGNED THEREWITH, SAID PARTITION APERTUREBEING SMALLER THAN SAID INLET OPENING.